President William Ruto delivered a defiant, upbeat message to his critics yesterday, declaring Kenya’s transformation unstoppable and daring the opposition to bring it on. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the flagship Yala Affordable Housing Project in Gem Constituency, the President radiated raw campaign fire – exactly the kind of energy that signals he is battle-ready for 2027.
“Tuko tayari na tuko kadi!” Ruto thundered, flashing his voter card metaphor and warning rivals that the country is already changing on multiple fronts. “Nataka kuwaambia tuko tayari… when the time comes, we shall be ready.” He vowed to honour the late Raila Odinga’s vision of unity, promising to walk hand-in-hand with Dr Oburu Oginga to ensure Nyanza is never marginalized again. “We are beginning to shame our competitors by showing the development happening in every part of Kenya,” he added, dismissing tribal division tactics and insisting every region will get equal treatment.
The response from Luo Nyanza heavyweights was electric. Leaders who once formed the bedrock of opposition politics are now openly warming to Ruto’s second-term bid – but only if the development tap stays wide open.
Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo captured the mood perfectly: “For the first time, we have found a leader who is keen on every Kenyan… as people of Nyanza, we shall give you another opportunity to serve us for another five years.”
Dr Oburu Oginga confirmed active negotiations for a broad-based arrangement, while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga revealed the community has mandated him to secure real power for the Luo people in 2027. Uriri MP Mark Nyamita went further: “Ruto has so far demonstrated commitment… We will support him in the next election. Our coalition is inevitable.”
The biggest bombshell of the day? A coordinated assault on Siaya Governor James Orengo. Local leaders queued up to declare him out of touch, development-averse and finished politically.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi pulled no punches: “The county government of Siaya has collapsed; we will take the governor home. In 2027, we shall vote for you overwhelmingly.” Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi vowed to spearhead the ouster drive: “We are going to elect a new governor for Siaya because we have many capable leaders who can replace him. There is nothing he has done here.”
Ugenya MP David Ochieng accused Orengo of choosing politics over people, while Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and others branded him “out of touch with the sentiments and expectations of the region.”
Siaya Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol Denge summed it up: “We have agreed that we will not go back to the streets to protest. There is one person here in Siaya who is keen on taking us there; we won’t go.”
The blistering criticism comes just days after Orengo himself called for Ruto’s impeachment over verbal exchanges with the opposition – a move that now appears to have backfired spectacularly in his own backyard.
Ruto’s tour – which kicked off with major projects in Kisumu – has already delivered visible wins: the Narok–Kisumu–Malaba SGR extension launch, Asat Fish Landing Site groundbreaking and several road projects. Yesterday’s Yala housing foundation stone was the latest proof that promises are turning into concrete.
Echoing the enthusiasm for these transformative initiatives, Siaya senatorial aspirant Walter Okelo (Jaramogi) – a governance and public policy practitioner currently serving as Chief Officer in Siaya County – hailed the launch of the Kisumu-Malaba SGR extension by President Ruto as a game-changer for the Lake Region. Okelo described the project as a “laudable economic game-changer” that, when completed, will boost trade, fuel tourism, enhance job creation for the youth, and signal that the Lake Region is “open for business!”
Nyanza leaders made their position crystal clear: embrace Ruto’s second term, deliver development, and watch the votes flow. As one put it, “We do not fear anybody.”
With the President showing the kind of relentless campaign energy that defined his 2022 run, the message from Yala is loud and unmistakable: the political ground in Nyanza is shifting – and William Ruto is ready to ride the wave all the way to 2027.
